"My beloved wife Yueniang: I wonder if all is well at home? Does father's leg still ache? How is your health…
"My beloved wife Yueniang:
I wonder if all is well at home? Does father's leg still ache? How is your health? Has Xia'er learned to read yet? After two years with the army, I've only managed to save enough for this single Family Letter—truly my failing.
However, last year I was assigned to serve under General Zhao Dejun. Fortunately, having learned some literacy from our father and with the support of my comrades, I was promoted to Platoon Leader. Perhaps in the future, I'll be able to send more Coins and supplies home. General Zhao's troops are exceptionally skilled, including a unit of Khitan cavalry riding grand Horses with silver saddles, fighting for us Han people. I've learned some mounted archery from them. Once I earn military merits on the battlefield, I may finally return home to see you.
These years have been hard on you and father, managing the household alone. I've saved all my pay, waiting to bring it back to you. Please take care of your health and don't worry for me.
"
"<The Letter Paper bears scorch marks, making some words illegible>
A final letter... to reach my dearest...
The Emperor has surrendered... The General has surrendered... The Liao commander... slaughter... surrendered troops... the silver-saddled Khitans... all executed...
Five brothers... deserting... dividing our provisions... into five shares... along with this letter... to be delivered home...
If I perish... burn this letter... lest... it bring harm to our family.
Our brothers' origins and kin are listed below:
囗Shi Luan囗囗囗 from 囗囗City's Cloth District, 囗囗 family, younger brother Zhao Tie. Younger brother, take good care of our mother.
Zhou Fugui from Qinghe囗囗, no relatives.
Li囗Xing from Hutuo囗囗, Reed Marsh囗囗囗, father Old Li, instructing wife 囗囗 to remarry.
...
Wotela from Youzhou, parents and brothers all deceased, wife 囗囗 Liduo, pregnant, 囗 do not head north, never look back, remember this well."